Where There's Been A Fire Poem by Sarah Mkhonza

Coals once red and firery, map
the fire which burned like fireworks
from a devilish land. They lie dead cold
to fool you.

Don't put your foot in without shoes
emboldened with a the mom eternal that
can read a century of degrees.

Hot are the remains and bitter is
their ash. Look back with a wink
that says' I know how plastic burns
when rolled into a cigar. It drips
onto flesh. It sticks and wiping it
off is a job even a fool would't take.

Don't remember the size of the flame
and height of the pals of smoke.
Walk away with eyes that can smolder
a smile and burn your image in for
you know what it's like to be so hot
you could melt the inside of a freezer.